Playful Creations ( from Tufts CEEO)

Play serves an important role in the development of children. Many things that you knowabout the world and how it works were developed through play (taking turns, following rules,persistence, trial and error, cause and effect). There is growing concern that many toys(particularly electronic toys) negatively impact young children’s play experiences and hencenegatively impact development. Concerns include:

● Toys that dictate the complete play experience and leave little room for imagination.

● Toys that limit the interaction of a child with other children (isolating)

For this project you are to invent, design, develop, build, test, refine, and showcase a new toy for children between ages 4 and 8 years old that supports productive play.

Requirements:

● No violent toys (weapons, killing or maiming of people or animals, either direct or implied) ● Must be innovative: can’t just recreate an existing item (e.g. duplicating existing toy) ● Targeted for children between ages 4 to 8 years old. (You can†narrow this focus.) ● Groups of 2 or 4 people (if more, please talk to me first) ● Based on LEGO MINDSTORMS Kit (if not, please talk to me first) ○ All other materials are welcome (if requesting, need to request in advance)